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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 1998
Health & Medicine
Question No. 338Interactive Test Mode
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Q338. Consider the following statements : Coke is one of the materials of the charge added to blast furnaces for the production of steel/iron. Its function is to: 1. act as the reducing agent. 2. remove silica associated with the iron ore. 3. function as fuel; to supply heat. 4. act as an oxidizing agent. Of these statements:

Consider the following statements : Coke is one of the materials of the charge added to blast furnaces for the production of steel/iron. Its function is to:

  1. act as the reducing agent.
  2. remove silica associated with the iron ore.
  3. function as fuel; to supply heat.
  4. act as an oxidizing agent. Of these statements:
Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 1998 • Science and Technology

Correct Answer: Option (C) — 1 and 3 are correct

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

In a blast furnace for smelting iron:

  1. Statement 1 is correct: Coke (carbon) burns to form carbon monoxide (CO), which reduces iron oxides ($\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$) to molten metallic iron.
  2. Statement 2 is incorrect: Limestone ($\text{CaCO}_3$), not coke, acts as a flux to react with and remove silica impurities as slag ($\text{CaSiO}_3$).
  3. Statement 3 is correct: Combustion of coke supplies the necessary thermal energy/heat to maintain furnace temperatures.
  4. Statement 4 is incorrect: Coke is a reducing agent, not an oxidizing agent.
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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 1998 (Q338)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicScience and Technology → Health & Medicine
Official Answer KeyOption (C) — 1 and 3 are correct

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 1998 Q338

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 1998 GS Paper I Question 338 (Science and Technology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 1998 Science and Technology (Health & Medicine) question is Option (C): "1 and 3 are correct". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 1998 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Science and Technology" and micro-topic "Health & Medicine". You can explore all repeated questions from Health & Medicine in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Health & Medicine UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve Health & Medicine questions in UPSC Prelims, identify extreme modifiers, verify core NCERT conceptual definitions, and eliminate mutually contradictory statement pairs before locking your final option.

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